Electronic Voting System Using Biometric Authentication and Universality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing voting systems, both mechanical and electronic, face issues of high costs for replacement, lack of transparency, and trustworthiness due to proprietary technology and concerns over tampering, which erode public confidence in the electoral process.

Innovation Solution

An electronic voting system utilizing general-purpose computers with open-source or proprietary certified software, allowing voters to access their ballot selections anonymously through a voting record identifier, and incorporating biometric authentication to prevent multiple voting, while also repurposing equipment for educational use to reduce costs and increase transparency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electronic voting machines are adopted to replace mechanical voting systems, then voting accuracy and transparency are improved, but the cost of equipment replacement increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoting accuracyVSAvoidequipment replacement cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by using general-purpose computers that can serve both as voting machines during elections and as educational computers in schools during non-election periods. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware to be reused across different contexts, eliminating the need for dedicated voting equipment and significantly reducing replacement costs while maintaining voting accuracy through software-based solutions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If proprietary electronic voting technology is used, then voting functionality is improved, but public trust and transparency deteriorate due to lack of open examination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoting functionalityVSAvoidtransparency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies copying by creating identical copies of the voting software and executing them on multiple independent computers. These copies produce the same results through the same algorithmic processes, allowing public verification that the software behaves consistently and transparently across different instances, thereby building trust without sacrificing functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where voting results are immediately displayed to voters on screen, and independent observers can verify the software execution. This real-time feedback allows public examination of the voting process, enhancing transparency while maintaining the ease of operation of electronic voting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If electronic voting systems are deployed, then voting efficiency is improved, but susceptibility to tampering and fraud increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoting efficiencyVSAvoidtampering risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical voting systems with software-based electronic voting on general-purpose computers. This substitution eliminates the physical vulnerabilities of mechanical systems (such as hanging chads) while maintaining efficiency. The software-based approach allows for digital verification, auditing trails, and reproducible results that reduce susceptibility to tampering compared to mechanical systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If dedicated voting equipment is purchased, then voting security is improved, but economic efficiency deteriorates due to underutilization of expensive hardware

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoting securityVSAvoideconomic efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the voting system to run on general-purpose computers that can be repurposed for educational use in schools after elections. This eliminates the waste of dedicated voting equipment sitting idle for most of the year, maintaining security through software controls while dramatically improving economic efficiency by maximizing hardware utilization across different functions and time periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8905306B2Electronic voting system

Publication Date: 2014.12.09 E VOTE MOBILE

AI summary

An electronic voting system provides increased transparency to the public and verification for the individual voters regarding the tallying of their respective votes. A voting record can be made available electronically, thereby eliminating the need to provide a voter with a paper ballot. A voting record identifier is generated without use of, or reference to, voter identity. The voting record identifier is provided to the voter, such that the voter can access a record of his ballot selections and vote number sequence. In addition, a biometric authentication mechanism is provided to reduce, or eliminate, the potential that a voter is able to vote more than once.